Courtesy Circle Meeting:
The 3rd of March


[Being an edited transcript of that event.]

The Lecture Hall

A large high-ceilinged room, its walls painted white. A
square window, with glazed panes, is centered in the east wall.
At the front (north) end of the hall is a wooden lectern, the
wall behind it covered in a board of soft cork. The room is
filled with rows of seats facing north.

Punzel suggests, "Shall we start the meeting now, as it seems our
group has grown?"

Punzel smiles warmly.
[Much nodding.]

You see Punzel, Retia, Kyle, Cassandra, Anabeth, Illiana,
Kissa, Myrth, Drusilla and Mintle.

Punzel asks Anabeth, "Firstly, do we have any new requests for
membership?"

Anabeth says quietly, " I have recieved no new petitions"
Kyle says, "I submit myself"
Anabeth gazes at Kyle.
Punzel nods to Kyle, "Aye, ser. I know."
Punzel glances uncertainly at Anabeth.
Punzel asks Kyle, "Might we talk privately for a moment after the
meeting?"

Kyle says, "I wasnt here for the start of last meeting and
didnt do it right the one before that"

Kyle nods.
Punzel nods gratefully to Kyle.

Punzel announces, "Ser Graventhorp did submit his name, and no
objections were raised, and so he is now an official member, and I
will give him a ring when next I see him."

[Much smiling and nodding.]

Punzel smiles at the lecture hall, "I also wanted to point out
that our guild has received an invitation to participate in the
poetry contest being sponsored -- though I have no idea why --
by the Winter Watch."

Punzel suggests, "Any who would like to offer a poem for the
contest on behalf of the Courtesy Circle ..."

Myrth smiles meekly, "I have a poem, that I'd love to submit.."

Punzel smiles happily to Myrth, "Could you send it to me by
scroll, then?"

Myrth nods, "Certainly!"

Punzel admits, "I believe I am responsible for gathering the
entries for our guild, so that we may submit a maximum of three."

Punzel suggests, "Any others who are interested in submitting,
please do send your work to me via scroll, or seek me in person."

Punzel smiles encouragingly.

Myrth comments quietly, "It'd be nice to get some nice things
for the guild.."

Cassandra nods agreeingly, "Yes it would"

Punzel nods agreeingly, "Mayhap someday we will even have a room!"
Punzel grins.
Myrth smiles merrily at you, "I hope so!"

Punzel asks, "Any more questions about the poetry contest, or
shall I move on?"

Punzel smiles at the lecture hall, "I have been thinking about
this guild, and about the fact that I do not want to rule with
an iron fist. Iron fists are too heavy, and annoying to have to
drag around."

[Smirking, smiling, etc.]

Punzel explains, "I have been wondering if other folk in the guild
might be sometimes interested in doing some of what I do ... thinking
about a topic of courtesy, and coming up with some questions and
potential solutions, and leading a discussion about it."

[Much nodding and smiling.]

Punzel gestures encouragingly, "Think about what courtesy topics
puzzle you ... what things you want to know ... what guidelines you
think would be useful ..."

Myrth says, "Sumptuary laws... fine points and such. There's jewelry,
such as circlets that are said to be 'dangerously' close to the laws.."

Myrth says, "Would that mayhap be a good topic?"

Punzel nods, "Aye. And you could research the Inner Bailey
etiquette guidelines and present the information, and ask for
other folks' input about Outer Bailey application."

Myrth frowns slightly, "Does anyone know if it is illegal to wear circlets?"
Punzel smiles at Myrth, "It is not, sera."
Myrth nods thankfully, "Oh good.."
Retia says, "I wouldn't know.. I didn't even think they were made"

Punzel explains to Retia, "The traveling merchant brought at
least one on his last visit."

Punzel asks Myrth, "Would you be interested in researching this?"

Myrth tells Punzel, "I will research a bit... but I'm afraid I
have no time to go too far indepth."

Punzel nods understandingly, "Shall I just add it to our list,
then, and not ask you to take responsibility for it?"

Myrth nods thankfully.

Kyle says, "well, I know a lot has gone into disscussing Door
curtisy, but I wanted to know how will we get people understand
costoms?"

Punzel smiles at Kyle, "Sera Drusilla will be talking about door
courtesy in a moment, actually."

Punzel beams at Drusilla.
Drusilla smiles at Punzel.

Kyle asks Punzel, "perhaps you could train one of us to do a
second weakly class"

Punzel explains, "I had alrady asked her to lead a discussion on
that topic this week."

Punzel explains to Kyle, "And there will be Instructors in the
guild who will lead classes, ser. 'Tis one of the things sera
Anabeth and I need to discuss after the meeting."

[Much smiling.]

Drusilla nods, "I was wondering if we were going to discuss courtesy
during meetings today as well. I belive some guidelines are badly needed."

Punzel nods agreeingly, "I was actually going to ask about that
when we finished with this topic. I agree that it is a pressing need."

[Much nodding.]

Punzel admits, "I have three topics I had hoped to cover today,
though we might not get to them all: meeting courtesy, door courtesy,
and baths etiquette."

[Some folks blush or roll their eyes.]

Illiana says, "This is directed back to sera Myrth's question..."

Illiana smiles, "As for time to research, you have several options. First,
I am sure it would be a few weeks until we got to the topic as there are
so many others on the list to discuss, and so you would have time to research.
And perhaps working with another, or several others in researching."

Punzel nods agreeingly, "Oh! Good points!"

Illiana adds, "As a group effort presentation of basic information found."

Myrth nods merrily.
Punzel smiles at Myrth.

Myrth says, "Mayhap a couple people to work on the sumptuary laws..
I was hoping to direct it towards what was proper for guests to wear.."

Punzel admits, "I have asked sera Kiera and sera Illiana, for example,
to work together on some thoughts for leading a discussion on courtesy
when dealing with the Newly Awakened. I think that groups working
together might help."

Myrth ponders quietly, "Or a series.. mayhap going on to honoured guests.."
[Much smiling.]

Punzel smiles encouragingly to Myrth, "If you would like to meet privately
to talk about it, to help you get started, I would be happy to do that."

Myrth smiles happily, "Oh that would be very helpful!"
Punzel nods to Myrth, "Let us talk afterward, to plan a time to meet."
Punzel smiles.

Punzel asks, "Are there other questions or comments right now, or
shall I continue?"

Punzel smiles, "I see a few pressing issues, myself, that I think
need to be discussed soon, so that we might offer guidelines...."

Punzel lists, "Meeting etiquette, courting courtesy, baths
etiquette, courtesy when dealing with the Newly Awakened, ..."

Cassandra nods agreeingly to Punzel, "All good topics"

Punzel explains, "I have already asked Kiera and Illiana to work
on the topic of the Newly Awakened, and they will be leading a
discussion on that topic next week ..."

Punzel smiles gratefully to Illiana.
Illiana nods gladly.

Punzel asks hopefully, "Is anyone interested in further pursuing
the topic of courtship courtesy?"

[Several people blush.]

Myrth says, "Where might information be had?"

Punzel explains to Myrth, "This is a situation in which we must
simply gauge the opinions of folk in the Outer Bailey and
develop some guidelines so that folks might know what is
expected, and all have the same expectations ..."

Myrth nods thoughtfully.

Punzel clarifies, "Just as with setting guidelines for the baths.
It is not about finding the answers, but setting guidelines for
folks' comfort."

Punzel nods to Anabeth, "Yes, sera?"

Anabeth says quietly, "I was just volunteering to look into
the courtship ettiquette."

Punzel smiles happily.
Punzel says, "Yay!"

Punzel tells Anabeth gladly, "I will find my notes for you, on
the conversation thus far, and we can talk about it sometime
soon, to help you get started. Aye?"

Drusilla grins widely.
Anabeth nods to Punzel quietly.
Punzel nods relievedly.
Punzel relaxes slightly.

Punzel beams at the lecture hall, "Okay! On to this week's
topics. Shall we talk about meeting courtesy first, or doors?"

Kyle says, "personaly I think meeting courtisy comes first, But
for disisions we need to have a better system than individualy
asking each person 'how say yee?' know what I mean?"

Punzel smiles at Kyle, "I do not think we need to be very formal.
I was just wondering if anyone was extremely excited about one
of the topics."

Punzel suggests, "Folk, talk freely your opinions right now. No
need for raising of hands."

Drusilla says, "I think that the 'raise hand' system works just fine."
Drusilla says, "It prevents people from interupting eachother."

Retia says, "I agree with you... it should be relaxed but I
think the problem with anyone speaking at free will shall
result in several conversations forming"

Punzel nods, "Aye. But what worries me is that sometimes folk
have a comment on something immediately said, while someone
else has a question on another topic ..."

Punzel frowns pensively, "It is a problem."
Punzel suggests, "Let us discuss the doors issue first."
Punzel asks Drusilla, "Are you ready to lead that discussion, sera?"
Drusilla nods to Punzel.
Punzel smiles happily.
Punzel moves from a simple table to a wooden seat.
Punzel sits down on a wooden seat.
Drusilla walks behind the wooden lectern.
Punzel listens relaxedly.
Drusilla coughs softly.

Drusilla smiles slightly, "Well, There are many opinions
regarding doors."

Drusilla says, "Some think that the public rooms should not be
used for private conversations at all..."

Drusilla continues, "That private buisnisses should be
conducted in our private rooms.Others feel that is the door is
closed, then others should respect that, and not interupt."

Drusilla says, "One of the ideas that I have heard is that if
you do not wish to be disturbed, simply repie with a knock..."

Drusilla adds, "And, if the person on the other side may come
in, then just simply open the door so they may enter."

Drusilla asks the lecture hall, "What do you all think?"

Drusilla glances at Punzel, Kyle, Cassandra, Illiana, Retia,
Anabeth, Kissa, Myrth and Mintle.

Retia says, "the knocking option may be best but again we will
have the problem of informing the newly awaken"

Drusilla nods to Retia, "Yes, that would be a problem."

Drusilla suggests, "But sera Punzel could add it to her lecture
for Newly awakened."

[Much smiling and nodding.]

Illiana explains, "As I see it, there are two reasons why
people knock on doors...."

Illiana says, "To see if the room is indeed occupied, and to see
if a room is occupied with a specific person they are seeking."

Illiana says, "And so if it someone seeing if a room is empty..."

Illiana says, "Then hearing a knock on the other side is enough
of an answer. And I think there should not be much more to it
than that."

[Much nodding and agreeing.]
Retia says, "I disagree"

Illiana finishes, "But is those that are seeking someone, when are
they allowed to go in and look? And should those behind the door
feel obligated to open the door if they are indeed in a private conversation."

Myrth says, "I should think not.. If it's a true emergancy, then yes.."

Drusilla says, "I think that it should be quite urgent to find
someone, before one should open the door."

Myrth says, "If I'm in a serious conversation with someone, I'm
rather irked when I have to walk out into the hall and explain myself."

Punzel admits, "Well, I have three thoughts in my head at themoment ..."

Punzel says, "First, that there is no sense in having doors, if
folk cannot use them to sometimes have private conversations
that are not so private that they require a person's chamber ..."

Punzel shrugs, "Sometimes you want to talk to someone privately
for 5 minutes, and to go to one's room for that is just silly."

[Much nodding and agreeing.]

Punzel says, "Second, I think that there might be some folk who
will treat knocks on doors differently than other folks do ..."

Punzel says, "For example, it may be that officers of the Watch
should always answer a knock, unless the matter they are
dicsussing is one of life and death ..."

Punzel says, "That would allow folk to feel more comfortable not
barging in ... since they would trust that the person they are seeking
is not there, if they are seeking a Watchman."

Punzel frowns suddenly.
Punzel blushes slightly.
Punzel smiles ruefully, "And I forgot my third thought."

Cassandra says hesitantly, "Aren't some doors merely closed to
keep servants or rats from scurrying in and itnerupting things?"

[Much nodding and agreeing.]
Punzel nods agreeingly, "Like the Practice Hall."

Drusilla nods to Cassandra, "Yes, but if one knocks and gets no
reply, one would assume that the room would be empty."

Cassandra says, "Is a knock required then?"
Cassandra says, "For the Practice Room I mean."

Drusilla says, "Well, a knock would be just as disturbing as
opening the door to the Practice room."

Myrth murmurs quietly, "The etigette reguarding that door has
been established, I don't think we need to concern ourselves
overmuch about that one."

Cassandra says, "Not everyone in the Castle understands the
Practice Room procedures though."

Punzel admits, "I think that if we are going to set guidelines
regarding courtesy with doors, we should be explicit about the
exceptions ..."

Punzel says, "The Practice Room door, for example, is an
exception. But there are others ..."

Punzel admits, "I have once or twice found the doors to the
Refectory closed ... I did not hesitate to open them and enter ..."

Punzel adds, "And the doors in the hallway to the guest rooms, also.
Some newly awakened just like closing doors, for whatever reason ..."

Punzel shakes her head bemusedly.
[Much nodding.]
Punzel shrugs, "What do other folks think?"

Drusilla nods, "Yes, theese are public places, and not suited
for private conversations."

Cassandra murmurs, "You would think some of them had never seen
a door before..."

Punzel admits, "If I found such a door closed, I would enter
anyway, but then close it quickly behind me, in case there was
a reason for the closing."

Punzel clarifies, "As when we had trapped a rat that had stolen
the Armsman's bracelet."

Punzel blushes slightly, "But I am talking too much."
Punzel shuts her pair of thin lips.
Punzel listens quietly.
[Much smiling.]

Drusilla asks Punzel, Kyle, Cassandra, Retia, Kissa, Myrth
and Mintle, "Does anyone else have any comments on that?"

Punzel slowly raises her hand.
Punzel blushes slightly.
Punzel adds embarrassedly, "I think that the baths would be
another exception ... though we have not yet discussed them...."

Punzel admits, "I personally think that if one knocks on the door
to the baths, and anyone knocks back, one should never enter."

Punzel says, "But the baths are a separate issue. Just another
room that would likely be an exception to the guideline."

Cassandra frowns, "What if one wishes to use the sauna?"

Punzel admits, "I would expect them to wait until folk were done
with the bath."

Punzel asks uncertainly, "But shall we keep that for the baths
discussion, and stay with doors in general right now?"

Punzel glances at Drusilla.
[Much nodding and agreeing.]

The wooden doll Mintle is holding squeaks, "Uh, I was
wondering... perhaps for times when a door MUST be opened..."

The wooden doll Mintle is holding squeaks, "Such as when a
Watchman is looking for a subject, perhaps..."

The wooden doll Mintle is holding squeaks, "Perhaps a banging
of the door might be used? To indicate that after a short
pause, the door WILL be opened?"

[Much nodding and agreeing.]
Drusilla nods to Mintle, "That is a good idea, sera."

Drusilla suggests, "Perhaps the Watch should bang on doors, to
show that they are on official buisniss."

Drusilla says, "A smiple knock to see if you can enter, and a
bang to show that you MUST enter."

[Much nodding and agreeing.]

Cassandra suggests, "Perhaps only for meetings, but it might
help keep interuptions down"

Cassandra says, "If there was a sign that could be put on the
door, saying what meeting it was and who was in attendance?"

Cassandra says, "Then if someone was looking they would know"

Punzel nods uncertainly, "I can suggest it to the Lord Chamberlain.
But I know not if it would be feasible."

Cassandra nods, "It might have to be a sort of slateboard"

Myrth nods to Cassandra, "We were thinking about that for the
awakener's no?"

Cassandra nods to Myrth.

Drusilla nods slowly, "Hm, so we should get a slateboard for
people to sign in on?"

Punzel admits, "I do not think it a wise idea, for folk enter and
leave meetings constantly."

Punzel smiles ruefully.

Drusilla nods to Punzel, "Yes, but perhaps people would erase
their name when they left."

Punzel nods slowly, "I will suggest it to the Lord Chamberlain."

Drusilla says, "I, myself, belive that if you are very late for
a meeting, or are not going to attend it but just check to see
who is there, you should not enter at all."

Drusilla adds, "Unless they have noticed the leader of the
meeting that they are going to be late."

Punzel nods agreeingly, "Aye. We come to meeting etiquette again.
But, unfortunately, we do not have time to discuss it fully this week."

Punzel smiles ruefully.

Punzel admits, "We should wrap up this discussion, as the Muses
will be arriving soon."

Drusilla glances at Punzel, Kyle, Cassandra, Retia, Myrth and
Mintle, "Any last comments?"

[Shaking of heads.]

Punzel nods gratefully to Drusilla, "Thank you, sera, for leading
the discussion."

Drusilla smiles at Punzel, "Thank you for allowing me."

Punzel asks Drusilla, "Would you like to write up a draft of
guidelines, or would you prefer to leave that to me?"

Drusilla blushes.

Drusilla replies to Punzel, "Perhaps you should, sera. You are the
Guild Leader."

Punzel nods understandingly to Drusilla, "I will, then, sera, and
mayhap discuss them with you before posting them."

Punzel asks hopefully, "Would anyone be interested in leading the
discussion on meeting etiquette next week?"

Drusilla says hesitantly, "I could, if no one wlse wants to."

Punzel adds, "And I am also looking for someone who might be
willing to think more on this topic of the baths, and lead a
discussion on it."

Myrth says hesitantly, "I might work something up for the baths.."

Punzel smiles warmly at Drusilla, "Thank you for volunteering,
sera. Let me first check with some of the others who are not
here now, to give others a chance to get involved."

Myrth says, "I don't know how good it'll be.. I mean, I've
never had to do such before."

Drusilla nods to you, "Of course."

Punzel nods gratefully to Myrth, "If you would be willing to put
some thought into it, sera, that is all that is needed. And mayhap
you might talk to friends who use the baths regularly, and ask
them about their thoughts ..."

Punzel explains, "We need to think about what would make the
shyer folk more comfortable, for I must admit that I post a friend
at the door to guard, as I do not trust folk without any guidelines."

Punzel blushes slightly.
Mintle nods vehemently at Punzel.

Punzel admits, "We have only a few more minutes. Let us continue
this conversation next week. Sera Myrth will investigate the baths issue
... and I will talk to other members about the meeting etiquettte."

Punzel curtsies to the lecture hall, "I think we can call an end to
the meeting, and I thank you all for your patience and your thoughts!"

Punzel smiles at Drusilla, "And your help!"



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